25 Years of Practice Milestone

Seeking Professional Help

If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, or if you have a substance use issue that you do not feel capable of controlling, or if any problem is interfering with your ability to function, you definitely should seek professional help. Of course, psychotherapy is also useful for those who simply want to feel better and more joyful. Any licensed therapist (Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Psychologist, or Licensed and Boarded Psychiatrist) is ethically mandated to keep to high standards of confidentiality. The only valid reasons for a licensed therapist to break confidentiality is if there is child or elder abuse occurring, or if you or someone else is in imminent danger.

Where/how to seek help:

• Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program. The New

Mexico Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (NMJLAP) is a free service for all members of the New

Mexico bench and bar and law students. NMJLAP offers confidential professional and peer assistance to help individuals identify and address problems with alcohol and other drugs, depression, and other mental health/ emotional disorders, as well as with issues related to cognitive impairment. NMJLAP endeavors to improve the well-being of its members through support and early intervention, and to help reduce the public harm caused by impaired members of the legal profession. Call

NMJLAP at (505) 228-1948 for more information and referrals to peer advisors. • The Solutions Group (EAP). Get help and support for yourself, your family and your employees. The Employee

Assistance Program is a FREE service offered by

NMJLAP. Services include up to four FREE counseling sessions per issue per year for ANY mental health, addiction, relationship conflict, anxiety and/or depression issue. Counseling sessions are with a professionally licensed therapist. Other FREE services include management consultation, stress management education, critical incident stress debriefing, video counseling, well-being webinars, and 24X7 call center. Providers are located throughout the state. To access this service call 866-254-3555 and identify with NMJLAP. • Word of mouth referrals. If you know of someone who has had a good experience in psychotherapy, ask for a referral. Even if their therapist cannot see you, that person might be able to refer you to a clinician they regard as talented. • Psychology Today website. This is a site for local licensed therapists which you can search for specific qualifications or specialties. Many also offer telehealth. www.psychologytoday.com • Panel associated with your insurance carrier. • For alcohol detox: Do not attempt to detox from alcohol dependence on your own. Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening. Instead, consult your physician or utilize a detox service such as the University of New Mexico’s

Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program (505-994-7999). • Hotlines or Emergency Departments. The national suicide hotline (800-273-8255) and local emergency rooms (in Albuquerque, UNM hospital and Kaseman hospital in particular) are resources for anyone in need of immediate evaluation.

Dr. Evelyn Sandeen is a licensed psychologist who is boardcertified in clinical psychology. She has lived and worked in Albuquerque for 25 years. She has a private practice in which she specializes in psychotherapy with professional clients, training, and consultation. She can be reached at dr.evelynsandeen@gmail.com or by texting 505-681-3925. Her website is www.evelynsandeen.com.

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Endnotes

1Krill PR, Johnson R, Albert L. The Prevalence of Substance Use and Other Mental Health Concerns Among American Attorneys. J Addict Med. 2016 JanFeb;10(1):46-52. doi: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000182. PMID: 26825268; PMCID: PMC4736291. 2James C. Towards trauma-informed legal practice: a review. Psychiatr Psychol Law. 2020 Feb 11;27(2):275-299. doi: 10.1080/13218719.2020.1719377. PMID: 32944127; PMCID: PMC7476614. 3Cohen, M. https://www.forbes.com/sites/ markcohen1/2017/07/03/goodbye-guild-laws-changingculture/#951f96f70e80 4Clement S, Schauman O, Graham T, Maggioni F, EvansLacko S, Bezborodovs N, Morgan C, Rüsch N, Brown JS, Thornicroft G. What is the impact of mental healthrelated stigma on help-seeking? A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies. Psychol Med. 2015 Jan;45(1):11-27. doi: 10.1017/S0033291714000129. Epub 2014 Feb 26. PMID: 24569086. 5Yanos PT, Lucksted A, Drapalski AL, Roe D, Lysaker P. Interventions targeting mental health self-stigma: A review and comparison. Psychiatr Rehabil J. 2015 Jun;38(2):171178. doi: 10.1037/prj0000100. Epub 2014 Oct 13. PMID: 25313530; PMCID: PMC4395502. 6Johnson, J. & Pearson, K. 6 steps for law firms looking to improve their culture. https://www.law360.com/ articles/1296402